The National Museum of Chinese History, the main exhibits of which covered the history of China from its earliest beginnings up until the Chinese Revolution of 1911–12, was established at the former Imperial College of the Ming and Qing dynasties in 1912 and later expanded to rooms above the south gate of the Forbidden City and associated spaces. It opened to the public in 1926 and was reorganized in 1997 based on the latest archaeological and historical findings and arranged in chronological order. The Museum of the Chinese Revolution, established in 1950, was dedicated to the history of China from about 1840 onward, particularly highlighting the history of the Chinese Communist Party. A new building to house the two museums was completed in 1959.